Evidence map›Paper›PMID 41239273›Full record

Observational studyBMC musculoskeletal disorders2025

The gastrocnemius and soleus muscles deficits in functional ankle instability: an observational study.

Nasr Awad Abdelkader, Mostafa Mohammed Khafagaa, Marihan Zakaria Aziz

Registry-linked trialAbstract readObservational Study
In one paragraph

Observational study in BMC musculoskeletal disorders, 2025. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. It is linked to trial NCT06715033 (Relationship Between Ankle Planterflexors Peak Torque and Balance in Patients With Functional Ankle Instability), which is not on this map. Not yet cited in PubMed.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
0citing papers in PubMed
–field-weighted citation impact
1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.

The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

The trial behind it

Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.

NCT06715033 completednot on this map

Relationship Between Ankle Planterflexors Peak Torque and Balance in Patients With Functional Ankle Instability

TypeobservationalSponsorCairo UniversityRan2024 to 2024Enrolled38ConditionsFunctional Ankle InstabilityArmsy balance and SLS
3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

0 citing papers in PubMed.

No citing paper in PubMed yet.

4 · The record

Corrections and comments

PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

3 authors.

Nasr Awad AbdelkaderDepartment of Physical Therapy for Musculoskeletal Disorder and its Surgery, Faculty of Physical Therapy, Cairo University, Giza, Egypt. dr.nasrawad@cu.edu.eg.ORCID http://orcid.org/0000-0001-8629-211X
Mostafa Mohammed KhafagaaPhysiotherapy Department, School of Health and Social Work, University of Hertfordshire hosted by GAF ( UH-GAF), Cairo, Egypt.ORCID http://orcid.org/0009-0009-3087-2073
Marihan Zakaria AzizDepartment of Physical Therapy for Musculoskeletal Disorder and its Surgery, Faculty of Physical Therapy, Cairo University, Giza, Egypt.ORCID http://orcid.org/0000-0003-3863-2452

Funding

No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.

6 · The paper itself

Abstract

backgroundFunctional ankle instability (FAI) is a common condition affecting active populations, often caused by deficits in postural and neuromuscular control. This study aimed to compare the differences in gastrocnemius and soleus muscles strength (eccentric and concentric) between the affected and non-affected limbs at velocities of 60°/120° seconds and find out the relationship between muscle strength, balance, and functional performance of the affected limb in participants with FAI.

methodsThirty-eight participants with unilateral FAI, their ages ranging from 15 to 32 years, with a body mass index between 18.5 and 24.9 kg/m²were recruited. They had a history of at least one unilateral lateral ankle sprain that required immobilization for three days or longer, in addition to at least one recurring sprain within the three-to-six-month period before study participation. The FAI was identified if the total score was 11 or above on the identification of functional ankle instability (IdFAI) questionnaire. Participants were assessed using Cybex isokinetic dynamometry, a single-leg stance (SLS) (Eyes open and closed), a Y-balance test (YBT) and a side hop test (SHT), for concentric and eccentric plantarflexion strength at 60°/s and 120°/s, static and dynamic balance, and functional performance, respectively. Data analysis included t-tests, Pearson correlation coefficients, and multi-regression analysis.

resultsSignificant differences were found in eccentric torque at 60°/s between affected and non-affected limbs (p = 0.048). Moderate indirect correlations were observed between SHT and all strength measures in the affected limb (r = -0.51 to -0.61, p < 0.001). The YBT showed moderate to strong direct correlations with strength measures. Multiple regression analysis revealed that strength deficits significantly predicted static balance with eyes closed (R² = 0.417, p < 0.05).

conclusionThe deficit of gastrocnemius and soleus muscles eccentric strength significantly impairs function in participants with FAI, especially in SHT and YBT. Strength deficits significantly predicted a lack of functional performance by 41% in the SLS with eyes closed. Velocity-specific strength assessments are crucial for effective interventions, and rehabilitation should focus on eccentric strengthening exercises to enhance dynamic stability and reduce recurrent instability.

trial registrationThe study was registered to ClinicalTrials.gov with the number NCT06715033(Retrospectively registered on 27/11/2024).

Indexed as

Ankle JointJoint InstabilityMuscle, SkeletalMuscle StrengthAdolescentAdultFemaleHumansMalePostural BalanceYoung AdultBalanceFunctional ankle instabilityFunctional performanceGastrocnemius and soleus muscles strengthIsokinetic dynamometry

Identifiers

PMID41239273
PMCPMC12619179

What OpenQuestion holds

Textmetadata
LicenceCC BY
Read underepoch 390

Registered trials

Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.